Longines repair dilema.
Discussion
I have a Longines dress watch. Mechanical, circa 1980 cost me about £125. Valued today at £450 - £500. In new condition with a new Longines strap.
A while a go it went pop. I sent it to a retired horologist friend and he put in a new mainspring assembly serviced it and charged me a very reasonable sum.
After getting it back I noticed it was gaining at an alarming rate so I gave it back and asked him to have a look.
It turns out something has broken around the hair spring and he cant get a replacement part. It needs a new movement.
Movements are apparently not easy to come by due to the age of the watch.
He said the only way to get it repaired “as new” immediately would be to send it back to Longines and he thinks that would cost more than the watch is worth.
His alternative suggestion is to install a quartz (Longines) movement and wait for a mechanical movement to come up second hand. He has very reasonably said he wont charge me for the quartz movement.
Not really wanting to spend £500 on getting a £500 watch repaired I have asked him to go ahead with his suggestion.
I would prefer a mechanical movement, there is something reassuring about the tick. Although I could never hear the tick on this particular watch anyway.
I’d appreciate on hearing your comments and whether anyone has had similar problems.
Cheers.
PS I’ll post a photo when I get it back.
A while a go it went pop. I sent it to a retired horologist friend and he put in a new mainspring assembly serviced it and charged me a very reasonable sum.
After getting it back I noticed it was gaining at an alarming rate so I gave it back and asked him to have a look.
It turns out something has broken around the hair spring and he cant get a replacement part. It needs a new movement.
Movements are apparently not easy to come by due to the age of the watch.
He said the only way to get it repaired “as new” immediately would be to send it back to Longines and he thinks that would cost more than the watch is worth.
His alternative suggestion is to install a quartz (Longines) movement and wait for a mechanical movement to come up second hand. He has very reasonably said he wont charge me for the quartz movement.
Not really wanting to spend £500 on getting a £500 watch repaired I have asked him to go ahead with his suggestion.
I would prefer a mechanical movement, there is something reassuring about the tick. Although I could never hear the tick on this particular watch anyway.
I’d appreciate on hearing your comments and whether anyone has had similar problems.
Cheers.
PS I’ll post a photo when I get it back.
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